Bochenski Sets Record As Admirals Rout Wolf Pack

HARTFORD, Conn. – Brandon Bochenski now stands alone as the top goal scorer in AHL Admirals history as his Norfolk Admirals (28-25-3-1) defeated the Hartford Wolf Pack (25-24-3-4) 7-3 on Wednesday night at the XL Center. The Admirals will return to Norfolk to square off against the Springfield Falcons on Friday and Saturday nights at Scope.

The Admirals took a 1-0 lead 11:57 into the game. Juraj Simek netted his 16th goal of the season with a wrist shot from the right faceoff dot.

Norfolk’s lead doubled less than three minutes later with Bochenski’s record-setting tally. Bochenski stick-handled around two defensemen and beat Hartford goaltender Chad Johnson for his 77th career goal as an Admiral. The goal also extended his club-record with 34 career power play goals as an Admiral.

Hartford attempted a comeback exactly one and one half minutes later. Brodie Dupont deflected a point shot past Norfolk netminder Jaroslav Janus at 16:19 to make the score 2-1 in favor of Norfolk after one period.

However, the Admirals netted three unanswered goals in the second period to seize control of the game. Adam Hall scored his tenth goal of the season off assists from Ryan Craig and Ryan McGinnis just 53 seconds into the second stanza. Matt Lashoff added a power play goal for his sixth goal of the season 12:07 into the frame. Scott Jackson then scored his first career American Hockey League goal at 17:52 to make the score 5-1 Admirals after two periods.

Captain Ryan Craig made it 6-1 and tied Bochenski’s team lead in goals with his 17th of the season 1:18 into the final frame. Paul Crowder scored unassisted at 12:45 of the third period as the Wolf Pack cut their deficit to 6-2. Ty Wishart netted Norfolk’s third power play goal of the game and his eighth goal of the season at 17:37. Jared Nightingale closed out scoring with just 15 seconds remaining in the game for the 7-3 final score.

Jaroslav Janus (24 shots, 21 saves) squared his season record at six wins and six losses. Chad Johnson (21 shots, 17 saves) took the loss playing the game’s first 32:07. Miikka Wiikman (24 shots, 21 saves) did not receive a decision in 27:53 of relief work.

Norfolk was 3-5 on the power play. Hartford was 0-3.

The Admirals return to Scope on Friday and Saturday for a pair of games against the Springfield Falcons. Friday night is Hall of Fame Night as Dennis McEwen and Rick Kowalsky are inducted into the Admirals Hall of Fame. Saturday night is Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Night with discounted fundraising tickets available. Saturday is also the final post-game skate of the season. For a complete schedule and details of the promotions, please visit norfolkadmirals.com or call (757) 640-1212.

To purchase tickets to any Admirals game, you may visit the Scope Box Office weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., visit any Ticketmaster outlet, call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or visit Ticketmaster online at ticketmaster.com. Don’t miss a minute of the action by purchasing your 2009-10 season tickets today. Stop by the Admirals’ Administrative Offices at Scope, call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or visit norfolkadmirals.com anytime!

NOTES … The Admirals (28-25-3-1, 60 points in 57 games) closed to four points back of the second-place Albany River Rats (29-21-3-3, 64 points in 56 games), who lost to the fourth-place Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (27-26-1-1, 56 points in 55 games). The Admirals maintain their six-point lead over the Penguins … Bochenski’s goal was his 77th as an Admiral in his 140th career Admirals game. The previous record belonged to Casey Hankinson, who scored 76 goals as an Admiral in 219 games from 2000-01 to 2002-03 … In 140 career games as an Admiral, Bochenski has 77 goals and 77 assists for 154 points. He ranks first in goals, power play goals and game-winning goals in AHL Admirals history … The Admirals scored a season-high seven goals … Norfolk received goals from seven different players and had points from 12 different players … Multiple-point performers included Bochenski (1G, 2A), Matt Lashoff (1G, 2A), Ryan Craig (1G, 1A), Paul Szczechura (0G, 2A) and Dana Tyrell (0G, 2A) … The Admirals had a season-high three power play goals … With an assist, Mark Parrish extended his point streak to four games (2G, 3A) … Parrish has points in 12 of his last 17 games for the Admirals (5G, 9A) … Scratches: Kevin Quick, Chris Lawrence … Attendance: 2,938.